The local chapter of Kiclei Canada, is trying to bring awareness to what they say is outside influence and spending that affects decisions that are made at the municipal level.
Kiclei Canada, is an organization, led by Maggie Braun, that advocates to ensure that decisions affecting Canadians are made locally, and reflect the values, needs, and priorities of communities, and not imposed by global agendas or external interests.
They advocate localism over globalism, and have a vision for a Canada that is strong, independent, and rooted in the values that unite communities.
Part of their mandate includes municipalities withdrawing from the Federation of Municipalities, and withdrawing from the Partners for Climate Protection Program.
Local residents, Shauneen and Iain Mackay, Joe Feiner, and John Gamble, are associated with the local chapter of Kiclie and are working to bring awareness of the Kiclei vision to the County level.
The group says that a municipality that follows the global initiatives uses taxpayer’s money in a way that diverts funds from local projects.
“This isn’t something that is mandated,” Mr. Feiner said of a municipality’s involvement in FCM and PCP. “Every municipality has a choice. “It costs money when each municipality strives to meet that five-stage program to green up the municipality. The reason for this group is to bring awareness so people know where some of your tax money goes to and where it could be re-directed to really help the citizens of that municipality.”
The group points to the heavy debt both the federal and provincial governments owe, and are afraid the same spending habits are going to take over at the municipal level.
Kiclei advocates localism over globalism, advocating for autonomy and empowerment of communities by challenging external influences, specifically the UN’s International Council involvement in Local Environmental initiatives.
“The UN is behind the whole things and it comes down through various associations,” Mr. Gamble said. “In theory, the provincial government has total autonomy over municipalities – the federal government doesn’t. But they have now gone around that by going through all these various organizations. It seems every township has at least one humongous project going on that they can’t justify.”
The group in particular advocates against the International Council for Global Environmental Initiatives. They are also concerned about the push toward intensification in cities, which they see as a ploy to increase taxes.
“It happens at the county level,” Ms. Mackay said. “There are 16 municipalities in Simcoe County. We want taxpayer money to go toward normal things like fixing potholes and roads.”
Kiclie insists that members follow a code of conduct which includes professional and constructive communication, simplicity over rhetoric, and respect for local autonomy.
They encourage members to engage in respectful dialogue with elected representatives and to never engage in shouting or disruptive behavior.